’Can I lower my blood pressure at home without medication?’ Recently one of my patients asked me this question.
I'll tell you right off the bat: if you have complaints of high blood pressure, you should immediately consult a doctor, because hypertension is a very dangerous disease.
Of course, there are also non-drug methods of reducing blood pressure. However, their use is only temporary.
If only you have a serious reason why you have not yet seen a doctor, I suggest you consider these 6 ways to lower your blood pressure naturally. You can choose the one you are most comfortable with, or you can combine several of them for maximum effect.
1. Breathing Exercise
Studies show that correct, slow and deep diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most effective ways to quickly lower blood pressure.
Performing technique: Relax, close your eyes. Place one hand on your chest area and the other on your abdomen. Counting to five, take a deep breath (you should feel how your belly inflates). Hold your breath for eight to ten seconds. Exhale for five counts as well. Do this exercise for three to five minutes. This practice will increase blood flow to all tissues, which will reduce the pressure in the blood vessels.
2. Hot Bath for Hands and Feet
For this you will need a basin and water (temperature ~ 113 °F). Immerse your hands or feet in the basin and hold for 10 minutes. How does it work? Hot water helps dilate the blood vessels in the extremities, so blood rushes to them and blood pressure is lowered. Blood flows away from the head to the legs – this brings relief. This method is also effective for severe headaches.
If you do not have hot water, you can hold your hands under running water. Cold water will lower your heart rate, which will lower your blood pressure.
3. Salt bath
Performing technique: Fill the tub with water at 98.6 °F. Pour 5-10 tablespoons of salt into the tub and stir it. Immerse yourself completely up to your shoulders in the tub and stay in it for 10-15 minutes.
This method allows you to lower your blood pressure by 11-12%, relaxes you and allows you to get a good night's sleep.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Compress
This is an old folk way of dealing with high blood pressure. It works about the same as hand and foot baths. To make a compress, soak a cotton cloth in apple cider vinegar and put it on your feet for 10-15 minutes. The blood will rush to your feet and the overall strain on your circulatory system will be reduced.
5. Peppermint Tea
Fresh peppermint tea helps relieve hypertension and normalize the situation. This is possible because of the properties of the plant, it dilates blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.
If you have no allergies, brew a pinch of mint leaves for 10 minutes, let cool and drink the tea in slow sips.
But remember: peppermint increases the effect of blood pressure medications. Therefore, be careful.
6. Chili Pepper
Chili peppers are a powerful vasodilator, helping to dilate blood vessels and improve circulation. It naturally lowers high blood pressure levels by speeding up blood circulation. To reduce high blood pressure, mix one to two teaspoons of chili pepper with a little warm water or tea with honey and aloe vera. If the taste of the drink is too spicy, you can take chili capsules.
I hope that the above recommendations will help you to better control your blood pressure. However, keep in mind that these tips are only a temporary solution to your problem. If your blood pressure increases regularly, you should see a specialist as soon as possible.
Take care of your health and protect yourself from dangerous consequences.
Check your blood pressure, get enough rest and keep yourself safe!